UNC Football Beats Duke in Double Overtime
CHAPEL, HILL N.C. (PSF)—In a nailbiter between UNC Football and Duke, UNC defeated their rivals at home in double overtime, their fifth straight win against Duke.
Photo Credits: Robert Willett, The News and Observer
Offense:
UNC’s offense came out ready to fight in this game.
The first drive was highlighted by quarterback Drake Maye running in a one-yard touchdown, which was set up by a huge 42-yard catch by wide receiver Tez Walker.
UNC’s next two possessions would result in 23- and 31-yard field goals after a goal line and red zone stop by Duke’s defense.
Down by 13 points, Duke finally scored a 10-yard passing touchdown to close the gap to only six points.
Carolina muffed the kick return, giving the offense the ball at their one-yard line. Throwing out of the endzone, Jaylen Stinson intercepted Maye’s pass. Duke’s offense took the field and scored a three-yard rushing touchdown to put them one point over UNC.
With about two minutes left in the first half, UNC marched down the field to score a 25-yard field goal to end the half. Walker’s 48-yard catch was crucial to this drive, and UNC led 14-16 going into the locker room.
UNC carried their momentum from the first half into the second with a 25-yard field goal to start the third quarter. In this drive, UNC converted on two fourth downs- a 4th and 9 and a 4th and 4. Unfortunately, Duke stopped them in the red zone, and UNC settled for a field goal.
The Tar Heels extended their lead after running back Omarion Hampton ran it in for a two-yard touchdown. UNC lost this 12-point lead after Duke had back-to-back touchdowns, one after they recovered their onside kick. Carolina was now down by three.
UNC responded with another 43-yard catch by Walker to set up a 15-yard touchdown pass by tight end Bryson Nesbit. UNC had retaken the lead with a little under two minutes left in the game.
Do not count out Duke, though, as they scored a 30-yard passing touchdown to retake the lead with 41 seconds left.
UNC was back on the field and was not going to give up. Kicker Noah Burnette made a 43-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime.
Carolina won the coin toss and elected to start on defense. They held Duke to a 49-yard field goal. UNC had to settle for a 24-yard field goal on their possession, sending it to the second overtime.
This time UNC had the ball first, and Maye ran it in for a 5-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was successful as TE John Copenhaver caught Maye’s pass.
Duke responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass, leaving it up to the two-point conversion to decide the fate of the game. Their conversion failed and UNC won the game 45-47.
Carolina students rushed the field, the Bell Tower was lit blue and UNC got to keep the Victory Bell.
The Tar Heels fought hard for this win. They ended with 537 yards of total offense- 342 yards passing and 195 yards rushing. Maye let his interception roll off his back and ended the night with two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown and averaged eight yards a pass.
Hampton finished the night with 169 rushing yards, a touchdown and 47 yards receiving, carrying the run game for UNC and adding depth as a receiver.
Walker was Maye’s top target, finishing the night with a career-high 162 yards receiving. Nesbit was the only receiver who caught a touchdown pass.
Carolina’s offensive line was brutalized this game and gave up eight sacks on the night.
Defense:
UNC’s tenacity was seen on both sides of the ball.
Carolina’s defense has been inconsistent this season, and this was seen against the Blue Devils. UNC held Duke to only punts in the first and third quarters, but once the Blue Devils gained momentum, Carolina had a hard time stopping them.
Carolina was successful in holding Duke to only 33% on third down efficiency, but was unsuccessful on fourth down efficiency, letting the Blue Devils convert on all four of their attempts. One of these conversions included a punt fake, but UNC did not let Duke capitalize on this play.
Senior Cedric Gray continued to lead this team, closing out his last home game with 11 total tackles. UNC also ended the night with three sacks. The biggest achievement of UNC’s defense this game was breaking up the two-point conversion pass to win the game.
Takeaways and Looking Forward:
UNC only had three penalties for 20 yards in this game. Duke, on the other hand, had 8 for 83 yards. This goes to show that playing a cleaner game can have positive effects.
This game was senior night for the Tar Heels. Discussions of Maye being recognized, though he is not a senior, were in the air because of the high likelihood that he will declare for the NFL draft. He released a statement saying he did not want to take away from his teammates’ night and since he has not yet declared, he has left the door open for a final year at UNC.
Carolina has already moved up two spots in the AP polls after this win to put them at #22. Their chances are slim to make it into the ACC Championship, but never count out the Tar Heels.
UNC will be on the road at Death Valley to take on Clemson on Nov. 18.